New and Biopsy scheduled

LM22

Back in Sept I was referred to genetics due to a strong family hx of BC. Ive never really brought it up because, years back, I was told paternal side didnt matter. Next thing you know I'm being told Im extremely high risk being a "28" on their scale and I need breast exams every 6m, MRIs every year with mammos added on at 35. The MRI came back clear a few months ago but stated I have extremely dense breasts. Ffwd to two weeks ago and Im doing my self exam and it just doesn't feel the way it usually does on my right side - then I find a little rock like bump. I called my doc but said I'll wait a week and maybe it was hormonal. It didnt go away so I ended up in her office and she felt it as well. She also agreed that the right feels nothing like the left, whatever that means. I went for a mammo and u/s but the radiologist (about 5x) said they couldnt see much because Im so dense and referred me back to the doc. My PCP then referred me back to the breast surgeon I saw several months ago who I guess will handle my breast care (she had been on vaca) and now Im scheduled for a core biopsy in two days.

First off Im scared out of my mind. What if its "hiding" or I cant point it out - because everything feels like a lump now? How do they biopsy - its not a big thing sticking out and ultrasound couldnt see anything before? I dont understand...

To add insult to injury in all of this I expected my husband to come and the thought didnt even cross his mind. In the 10 years we've been together I dont think I've been more digusted... especially when he knows my cousin was dx at 33 and Im 33 two months from today.

Any explanation on the above or words of what to expect would be so greatly appreciated...

Muffkin78

LM22 - just wanted to say that "I hear you". It does seem odd that they can biopsy without being able to tell exactly where the area is by imaging. Also - husbands, ughh. :-) I love my husband and I know he loves me, but I'm scheduled for an excisional biopsy tomorrow with twilight anesthesia, and he's going out tonight with his friends and then was trying to figure out how much work he can get done tomorrow before he has to pick me up post-surgery (it's a long day - I can get dropped off at 9:30 am but I won't be done until 3:30 with all the stuff they have to do). I'm pretty sure your husband (or SOMEONE) has to take you and pick you up from any biopsy, even if it's needle biopsy.

BrinkOfEternity

Maybe you are getting an MRI biopsy? That is, assuming they can see it on MRI now. I had a 2nd tumor that was too small to be felt or seen in US and mammogram (dense breast, yay...) but it was seen in MRI. The actual biopsy was not as bad as I expected because they would numb the area first. When they inject the lidocaine it can get rather painful, but it’s quick.

As for husbands... you’ll need to be very explicit about what you need from them. Then hopefully they can learn....